It is said that at that time it was half-buried in the sand, with not a blade of grass around.
Although my father didn't know its origins, he felt it could be used for self-defense, so he spent three whole days personally polishing it into a shape that was easy to carry and sharp enough to cut through skin.
She tightly clutched the spike-shaped pendant, took a deep breath, and suddenly slashed her fingertip.
Blood almost gushed out instantly, slowly sliding down her pale fingertip.
Enduring the pain, she dragged her trembling legs, step by step toward Evan Orwell.
He leaned against the stone wall, with the scorpion-shaped Beast Seal on his chest clearly visible.
Seraphina Caldwell raised her hand, suspending her still bleeding fingertip above the mark. A drop of crimson blood trembled and fell, landing perfectly at the tip of the scorpion's tail.
As soon as the blood touched the Beast Seal, a sudden change occurred.
The deep purple mark, once dark like congealed blood, began to visibly fade.
Though the scorpion's outline was still present, its color had noticeably lightened.
The cave instantly plunged into dead silence.
Evan Orwell's eyes widened abruptly.
Almost reflexively, he raised his hand, pressing it against his chest, his fingertips touching the Beast Seal.
He clearly felt the contour of the mark under his skin changing.
Wyatt Yardley stood to the side, staring intensely at the patch of skin beneath Evan Orwell's collarbone.
Kaelan Hawthorne's usual cold smirk had long vanished from his face.
His eyes flickered wildly as he instinctively reached out, touching the same scorpion-shaped Beast Seal on his chest through his clothing.
That seal remained unchanged, dark purple as ever.
Gideon Larkin's breathing grew heavier.
He first glanced at Evan Orwell's chest, then slowly shifted his gaze to Seraphina Caldwell.
She was pressing her injured fingertip with her other hand, trying to stop the bleeding.
But blood continued to seep through her fingers, dripping onto the ground, leaving dark red spots.
Isaac Vaughn had been curled up in the corner of the barrel.
At this moment, he struggled to lift his upper body, his purple eyes reflecting the fading Beast Seal.
"Do you believe now?"
Seraphina Caldwell grasped her still bleeding finger.
Though the blood was slowing, it still occasionally oozed from the wound.
The five males remained silent, their complex gazes fixed on her.
They could doubt her motives, but the truth before them was undeniable.
The Beast Seal had indeed faded.
Evan Orwell was the first to come back to his senses.
"You want us to accompany you to find my father?"
"But we have no idea where he is."
Her father was a Beastfolk who wandered outside for many years, inherently free-spirited and unpredictable.
This time when he left, he hadn't given even a hint of his destination.
Those who stayed in the cave naturally had no clue.
Seraphina Caldwell slightly bowed her head, swiftly recalling the plot of a novel she had read in her past life.
"My father went to the Eagle Clan Village. Before leaving, he mentioned wanting to capture an Eagle Clan Beast Husband for me as a partner."
Evan Orwell stood nearby, stunned by her words.
He murmured, "The Eagle Clan Village is on the border of Azurewood, a rugged terrain with complex paths. Even at full speed, it would take at least seven days to get there from here."
"Then let's head to the Eagle Clan Village."
Seraphina Caldwell replied decisively.
The decision was made.
Seraphina Caldwell's heart felt slightly bitter as she spoke softly, her tone gentle.
"I'm tired; I want to rest for a while. You all… prepare yourselves, we leave tomorrow morning."
After saying this, she lowered her eyes.
The cave was momentarily filled only with the sound of the campfire's crackling flames.
Wyatt Yardley took a deep look at her.
In that look contained too many indescribable emotions.
But ultimately, he said nothing and turned to leave.
Evan Orwell followed closely behind.
As he passed by Seraphina Caldwell, he paused briefly.
Yet in the end, he didn't turn back, only pursing his lips as he silently followed Wyatt Yardley's silhouette.
Before Kaelan Hawthorne left, he suddenly turned around, his gaze falling on Seraphina Caldwell's hand.
Her slender fingertip still bore faint traces of blood.
His lips twitched slightly, his expression untraceable.
Lastly, Gideon Larkin looked back at Isaac Vaughn soaking in the barrel, his gaze complex.
He said nothing, only heaved a heavy sigh.
Then with big strides, he exited the cave, his heavy footsteps gradually fading.
The cave finally fell silent, leaving only Seraphina Caldwell and Isaac Vaughn.
The firelight flickered, casting ripples on the water's surface.
Seraphina Caldwell turned around, walking toward the bed of dry grass in the corner.
She practically fell into it, as if drained of strength all of a sudden.
At this moment, she had a chance to catch her breath for a short while.
At least, her earlier words had worked.
She had successfully shown those restless Beast Husbands a glimmer of hope.
But, she knew better than anyone that this was far from enough.
The atrocities committed by the original host would not be wiped clean just because she now says, "I want to break the contract."
They were willing to protect her now, only for the chance to break the contract.
But if the contract were truly broken, if the Beast Seal disappeared,
would those Beast Husbands let her go?
When the time comes, she might not even know how she died.
The real challenge lies ahead.
Just as she was getting lost in thought, footsteps echoed from the cave entrance.
Soon, a tall figure slowly walked in from the entrance.
It was Kaelan Hawthorne.
Kaelan Hawthorne walked in, holding a green leaf.
On it lay pieces of roasted meat glistening with oil.
The tall figure cast the entire corner in shadow.
His fox-like golden eyes glowed slightly in the dim light.
He curled his lips, extending the green leaf forward, his voice low, carrying a hint of allure.
"Hungry? Have some food?"
But Seraphina Caldwell knew that this kind of gentleness was likely false.
Offering food for no reason was definitely suspicious.
In this wilderness, she had only just awoken.
If he neither guarded nor imprisoned her and instead offered hot food,
this was too unusual.
Could he be intending to poison her?
Seraphina Caldwell warily stared at the fox Beastfolk before her.
Then she heard him say, "Will you give me some blood after eating this meat?"
So he wanted to use a meal to coax her into giving blood to break the contract sooner.
Seraphina Caldwell immediately understood.
These Beast Husbands were all eager to rid themselves of the original host's imprint.
But at least, it showed they had no other intentions for now.
With the Beast Seal binding them, they dare not act recklessly.
She was almost certain that the meat was safe.
After all, if Kaelan Hawthorne wanted to kill her, he wouldn't need poison, direct action would be more effective.
Understanding this, her shoulders relaxed.
But breaking the contract mustn't be allowed too easily.
Agreeing now would mean handing over control.
If she were to drop blood for Kaelan Hawthorne right now, after ten drops, the contract would be broken.
Given the fox's vengeful nature, he might immediately pounce to bite her throat.
Thus, she must delay.
Give them blood bit by bit, while setting conditions.
Force them to obey, comply, even flatter her.
Only this way can she survive among these angry Beast Husbands to the end.
She lifted her eyes, meeting Kaelan Hawthorne's eyes gleaming with cunning.